It’s called ‘Comet 31/ATLAS’. and it’s catching the attention of astronomers and laypeople alike. This is because it is an unlikely visitor to our solar system.

Comet 31 was first seen on July 1, 2025 by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS). This system monitors space for asteroids that have the potential to hit earth.

At this point, Atlas astronomers estimate that the comet ranges in size from 0.8 to 24 km (0.5 to 14.9 mi).

But what makes ‘Comet 31/ATLAS’ so unusual is that scientists believe it originated somewhere deep in the Milky Way, Yahoo News Popular Mechanics reports.

In her article for Yahoo, Elizabeth Rayne explained that it’s “only the third interstellar object to ever be observed whizzing through the Solar System.” Yahoo News further emphasized its uniqueness stating in the headline that, “It’s Unlike Any Object Humanity Has Ever Seen.”

Its arrival has certainly caught the attention of astronomers and scientists?

This begs the question should it be catching the attention of believers as well?

When God created the heavens and the earth, we are told that the lights in the sky would serve two purposes. They would be used “as signs and for seasons”:

¹⁴ And God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night. And let them be for signs and for seasons, and for days and years, (Genesis 1:14 NASV)

Many scholars suggest that seasons refers to when the different Jewish festivals would be held.

For example, the date of the Passover (Easter) varies from year to year. This is because it is determined using the Hebrew calendar which is based on the moon’s cycles and solar year. Each month is determined by the arrival of a new moon.

While most years in the Hebrew calendar have 12 months, every few years they add a 13th month to balance it with the solar calendar used by the Western world.

However, signs has a slightly different meaning.

According to the Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament, the Hebrew word, ‘ôth, translated as signs refers to a “sign, signal, a distinguishing mark, banner, remembrance, miraculous sign, omen and warning.”

In other words, God would use the lights in the sky as signs and even warnings to people living on earth.

As an example of this, God used a star to mark the birth of Christ (Matthew 2:1-2). This unusual star caused the magi in Persia to make the long journey to Jerusalem looking for the new born king.

Since Christ’s first arrival was signaled by a sign in the heavens, will the Lord’s Second Coming have a similar sign?

Some believe so.

“As believers, we are called not only to watch the skies with wonder, but to discern the times through a biblical lens,” Abby Trivett explains in her article for Charisma News. “This comet is a sign that the Creator is still speaking—and His eternal purposes are still unfolding across time, space and history.”

There will be one significant difference though.

When Jesus came the first time, the Lord didn’t come to judge, but to save the world (John 12:47). So the appearance of the star was a sign marking the Lord’s arrival.

However, when Jesus returns the second time, it will be to judge the world (Revelation 19:11-21). In that context, any associated signs in the heavens may be better described as omens and warnings.